Vito the bolter for ABs – Victor Vito has been included in the All Blacks’ World Cup squad.

Graham Henry has also included lock Anthony Boric, and wing Zac Guildford. As expected, forwards Liam Messam and Jarrad Hoeata didn’t make the cut, but it surprised a few locals to hear that Hosea Gear, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Wyatt Crockett were omitted.

‘It’s got a lot of experience – it’s the most experienced All Black side in the history of the game – but we’ve also got a number of younger players we think give real vitality and enthusiasm and edge,’ said the All Blacks coach at the squad announcement. ‘They’re mainly in the outside backs.’

Backline coach Wayne Smith said it had been tough to pick the back three players.

‘We just pick the best players that play the best,’ said Smith. ‘You want people who can take the high ball, you want people who are able to chase, you want players with high work-rate who can counter-attack, and off phase play get from their side of the field to the other side. You want high number of touches and good ability in the backfield.

‘But you look at Siti who was another one who played really well for us this year, even Ben Smith in his cameo… they all put form on the track. We just had to make a judgement on who we felt were the best, and on balance we’re happy with it.’

Despite a shaky performance against the Springboks in Port Elizabeth, Colin Slade will go to the World Cup as Dan Carter’s understudy at flyhalf.

Warburton to lead Wales – Sam Warburton will lead Wales at the World Cup in the injury-enforced absence of Matthew Rees.

Coach Warren Gatland has left veteran flanker Martyn Williams out of his 30-man squad. He has also omitted Dwayne Peel, Josh Turnbull, Jonathan Thomas and Gareth Turnbull.

Ron Hibbard, Gavin Henson and Morgan Stoddart were all unavailable for selection due to injuries. The good news is Gethin Jenkins is included and management is confident he will make a full recovery from a calf injury.

Maka to spearhead Tongan assault – Finau Maka has been named captain of the Tonga side for the World Cup.

The powerful No 8 was one of the stars of the 2007 tournament, but the decision to pick him as captain for the 2011 competition has come as a surprise. Maka hasn’t competed at the top level as far as club rugby is concerned for some time.

Super Rugby players Taniela Moa and Fetu’u Vainikolo were also included in the squad.

Cup organisers sweating ticket sales – Rugby World Cup organisers need 200 000 tickets to be sold in 17 days to make their revenue targets.

They are currently NZ$ 30.5 million short of their target (being NZ$219 million worth of tickets sold), but even if they manage that figure they will still be NZ$32 million short of breaking even. That deficit will then be met by New Zealand taxpayers and the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Rugby World Cup minister Murray McCully said on Tuesday that ticket sales are ‘pretty much on target’ and he was confident of the revenue target being met. There has been a concerted push to market the tournament in Australia, where interest in travelling to the tournament is high. It is estimated that 5000 South Africans will travel from the Republic to attend matches at the tournament, with more coming from the expat community.